On October 16, 2009, during his team's game against Smart Gilas at the Araneta Coliseum, specifically halfway in the second quarter, Arboleda was involved in an incident where he assaulted a paying spectator, Alain Katigbak, after the latter shouted profane words directed at him following his second flagrant foul against Gilas' Marnel "Mac" Baracael. As a result of the second flagrant foul, he was ejected from the court soon after.[1]

Three days later, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios suspended him for the rest of the 2009-2010 season plus one game without pay, effective immediately, on top of any possible court case Katigbak would file against him as a result of the assault. The suspension is said to be the league's heaviest sanction to date. In addition, he was fined PhP20,000 for the two flagrant 1 fouls he committed, and was blacklisted from attending PBA games during the period of his suspension.[2]